Question about declawing cats

**DorothyBeverly** · 10-13-2005, 03:23 PM

Hi everyone--

I have 2 furbabies...Peanut (orange and white shorthair) and Pepper (black shorthair)..Peanut is over a year old and Pepper will be a year old on the 15th. Does anyone here have their cats declawed? I love them dearly..but they are reeking havoc on my carpet....is it a good idea to have them declawed or is it mean?? Will it hurt them if I do it?

**FreesiaE** · 10-13-2005, 03:35 PM

Hi,
I'm glad to meet a cat lover

I'm sure others will disagree, but I don't like the idea of declawing. It's not just nails that are removed, but it is up to a certain joint. My cat is an indoor/outdoor and does his scratching outside. When he was little, he tried a few times to scratch some good furniture. I bought some sort of spray for furniture which I guess doesn't appeal to his nose, because between that and a loud "NO" he had not scratched inside again (over 3 years). They also make really cool fake nail type things for kitty paws called soft paws. Neither the Humane Society or the ASPCA approves of declawing. Here are some links regarding declawing that I hope help! Also, at least the humane society site has ideas for curbing clawing.

http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/...pdf?docID=4781

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/ca...st_a_manicure/

**forestdale** · 10-13-2005, 03:43 PM

I agree with Freesia. I don't like it either. I hope you find a solution.

**DorothyBeverly** · 10-13-2005, 03:55 PM

Thanks you guys...I was definatley leaning towards NOT doing it!! Now I know that what I feel (it's not right) is the right thing to do....thank you!!

**pip** · 10-13-2005, 04:04 PM

You need to follow your heart on this one. We do have two indoor cats that are both declawed, but this was done 15 years ago. I know now that they can do laser surgery for declawing, this might be more expensive, though, and I don't know if it is less painful or not.

bb · 10-13-2005, 07:38 PM

Don't do it. IMHO declawing is barbaric. Try rubbing catnip on your cat's scratching post and redirect him when you catch him in the act. We also used a water pistol to train our cat to not scratch where she wasn't supposed to. It takes a lot of patience and viligence, but it is possible. We also tried Soft Paws when we moved to a new apartment, but there can be problems with the nails growing into the pads of the feet if the claw covers don't come off on their own. It also takes a lot of patience to get them on -- after all you are putting fake finger nails on a cat. Our vet didn't know anything about them, but you can order online.
Soft PawsSoft Paws

There are other options just do your research.

**frugalmel** · 10-16-2005, 04:25 PM

Well I am in the minority I guess. I have had both Butterscotch's and Salem's front claws removed. Butterscotch was scratching up the doorframes (to go out) and salem was clawing the couch. It was either their claws go, or they do.

I know its not nice for them (we had the laser done on both) and its not natural for them to not have any, but they have homes now, where they wouldn't otherwise.

Every family/home is different though. You do what is best for you.

**slowtypinwoman** · 10-16-2005, 04:34 PM

We have one strictly indoor cat who has been de-clawed and 2 indoor/outdoor cats who have not. I agree with the other who say it is a personal choice. Not fun for the cat but if the alternative is not having them and them going to a shelter. Well, you get what I am going towards. Good luck in your decission.

**Missy** · 10-16-2005, 07:09 PM

I am a minority too, i declaw. it works best for us in our home. For others it doesn't. In wild situations, they need them for protection, food gathering, and all kinds of other situations. None of which are in the confines of our home. And we cannot afford to constantly have our furniture repaired. So after careful concideration, that's what we chose for our animals. But like I said it doesn't work for other families, other alternatives do. It's something you have to figure out, talk to your vet. Talk about declawing, soft paws, and what other ideas he/she might have.

**Missy** · 10-16-2005, 07:11 PM

"wild"...yes, i know cats are not wild, they are domestic. But you know what I mean.

**megsy** · 10-16-2005, 09:10 PM

I'm sorry I don't understand any of this.

You bring an animal into your home, find it's not suitable then punish it because of the type of animal it is?

do your homework before bringing a pet into your home.

My god, a couple of my dogs have wagged their tails and knocked things off the coffee table....................should I have their tails removed because it's inconvenient to me??????

It's not the animals fault because you don't have an animal friendly home.

**forestdale** · 10-16-2005, 09:20 PM

**slowtypinwoman** · 10-16-2005, 09:34 PM

In a world where animals are being euthanized by the hundreds daily, I will not feel guilty because I declaw my cats.
Some people also think it is unnatural and mean to have them spay/neutered.
I think it is the right thing to do as a responsible pet owner.
This is just how I feel no offence intended.

**Missy** · 10-16-2005, 09:51 PM

I value your opinion, and your right to it. I truly do. I understand each side. And for our family it works to declaw for other families, it won't be their path. It isn't a matter of conveinience (my spelling is off on that one, i am sure). And it wasn't something we decided in a wishy washy manner. We discussed it with our vet, we looked into all the alternatives. But when it boiled down to it, our choice made the best solution for our family.

**daddys3chicks** · 10-17-2005, 08:07 AM

We had a cat which we rescued. At the time we lived in an apartment and it was declaw or she goes. Well, we declawed. She lived a long, loved life with us. She was always indoors, never out. Her alternative to being declawed was being euthanized. I think everyone has a right to their opinion, but we saved her life and loved her for 15 years.